Chianti, San Gimignano, Lucca, and Portofino

Tuscany & the Italian Riviera

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Our classic Tuscan getaway explores the Italy of Renaissance paintings, with hikes leading right from the gates of ancient hilltop villages and sumptuous picnics overlooking silvery olive groves, fields of brilliant red poppies, and ochre-tinted stone farmhouses framed by rows of dark green cypress. We discover the thoroughly medieval setting of San Gimignano, with its skyline of 12th century towers, as well as the peaceful hill villages of the Garfagnana mountains. We walk the town walls of entrancing Lucca, birthplace of Puccini, and head to the coast to hike the fabled Italian Riviera, including the glorious Portofino headlands above the sea. Throughout our walking journey, we enjoy the company of at least two Trip Leaders and an insider’s experience of an irresistible part of Italy.

Below is an Itinerary-in-Brief. To view a complete Detailed Itinerary, Download Full Itinerary or Email our Area Specialist

Itinerary-in-Brief

Days 1-2
Chianti / San Gimignano

We gather in Florence and head into Chianti’s castle-dotted hills for a hike to a beautiful small winery for wine tasting. Our hike through olive groves and woodlands offers views framing San Gimignano’s towers as we make our way to the abandoned medieval village of Castelvecchio, with a picnic en route. Overnights are in San Gimignano, whose 13th century Piazza della Cisterna is still the focal point of town life.

Days 3-4
Lucca / Garfagnana / Barga

Just 20 miles from the Mediterranean is Lucca, a graceful Tuscan town of medieval streets with a swath of intact Renaissance walls. Lucca’s massive, tree-lined city walls—the best preserved in Italy—encircle the city for two miles. We explore the Garfagnana Mountains, rising above the valley of Lucca’s Serchio River and dotted with ancient castles, alpine meadows, and rural settlements. We hike through woodlands to Bugliano and onward to the peaceful hilltown of Barga, with its maze of cobbled streets. Here we visit the wonderful local Duomo to see the famous Della Robbia ceramics. The Duomo crowns the hill on which Barga is built.

Days 5-7
Portofino / Santa Margherita

Leaving interior Tuscany, we discover the Riviera di Levante, with its cliffs and bays carpeted in aromatic pine and olive groves. We hike from the port town of Camogli along the coastal path to Punta Chiappa. We also visit stylish Portofino, famed for its idyllic setting in a small inlet surrounded by steep cypress groves, and hike the Portofino headlands, now a nature reserve encircled by cliffs and coves. Our base is the lovely harbor town of Santa Margherita. Depart on Day 7 via Pisa, or join our Cinque Terre Extension.

Cinque Terre Extension (Available for all Italy trips)

The Italian Riviera ends with a dramatic flourish at Cinque Terre, five cliff-bound villages wedged into a mountainous coast terraced with vineyards. Join our self-guided 4-day extension for in-depth hikes to spectacular seaside villages.

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Tour Costs $3495 (13-15 members) $3795 (10-12 members) $3995 (6-9 members) Single supplement: $395 Cinque Terre extension from: $475 *Prices are for 2008 dates only **Airfare is not included in Tour Cost unless indicated

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